INEC Appeals Ruling Against Adeleke By Tribunal

By Uche Mbah

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approached the Court of Appeal praying for a reversal of the judgement of the Osun Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

The tribunal, in a ruling, had nullified the declaration of Ademola Adeleke as the winner of the Governorship Election held on 16th July, 2022.

INEC had earlier refused to issue a Certificate of return to Oyetola. This was in disregard to the ruling of the Tribunal in the majority judgement read by Tertsea Kume,  its Chairman. The ruling ordered INEC to withdraw the certificate of return from Mr Adeleke and issue it to former governor Gboyega Oyetola, citing violation of electoral act as reason.

But in  its appeal dated 8th February, INEC said the judgement contained an “error in law”and, therefore, should be set aside in its entirety.

“The judgement of the lower Tribunal is against the weight of evidence,” INEC stated in the appeal. Therefore, they are seeking the Court to:

“Allow the Appeal;

“AN ORDER setting aside the whole decision of the trial Tribunal;

“An Order dismissing and/or striking out the Petition for want of competence and jurisdiction; and,

“An Order dismissing the Petition of the 1 and 2nd Respondents in d. this Appeal as lacking in merit with substantial cost.”